Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Results of the Personal Abuse of the Church of God--Nazarene Sect--

1. Personality Changes Relatives will say they no longer recognize the person. The cult member sees himself as righteous in comparison and this comes across in their attitude toward all outsiders.
(John 15:18-20 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.)

2. Loss Of Identity They cannot see themselves as individuals apart from the group. Some even change their name as a rejection of their former life.

Simon to Peter ( Matthew 16:17-18 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it)

Saul to Paul ( Acts 22:2-6 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?)

3. Paranoid - We Are Being Persecuted Any time you say anything negative about the group, whether justified or not, it is regarded as persecution. Any criticism of the individual is also seen as persecution only because they are the true believers or enlightened - not because they, as an individual, have done the wrong thing.
(Jn 15:25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.)
(2 Tim 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted)
(1 Jn 3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you)

4. Social Disorientation They gradually lose their ability to socialize outside the group. This can go so far as to not being able to structure their time or make simple decisions for themselves when they leave.Their world-view alters and they perceive the world through their leaders eyes. They become very naive about life in general.
(2 Timothy 2:3-4 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.)
(1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.)

5. Severe Guilt Complexes They are made to feel guilty of everything they did before entering the group and are to strive to be good and worthy for eternal life. Misdemeanors are made into mountains so that members are in a constant state of guilt for infringing even the most minor rules. Guilt comes because they aren't doing enough; entertaining doubts or questions; even thinking rationally for oneself.This guilt is piled upon pile with new rules constantly being laid down about what is sinful and what is not. Illness may be seen as lack of faith - more guilt. Emotional illness may be seen as proof of sin in your life - more guilt.
(Galatians 1:13-14 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.)
(Philippians 3:4-7 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.)
(Romans 7:23-24 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?)

Christ Ahnsahnghong, Mother Jerusalem, World Mission Society Church of God

Check your faith!!!!! Would you really Believe??????????????

Monday, December 10, 2007

Some Abuses Of Rights And Freedoms--From the Church of God--Nazarene Sect:

1. Abuse Of Individuality: They adopt a GROUP mentality. They are not permitted to think for themselves apart from the group and only accept what they are told.
(1 Co 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.)

2. Abuse Of Intimacy: Relationships with friends, relatives, spouses, children, parents etc are broken or seriously hampered.
(Mt 10:37-39 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.)

3. US Versus THEM Mentality: Isolation from the community in general. Anyone and everything outside the group is seen as of the devil or unenlightened etc. Their enemies now include former friends; the Jewish Temple; governments; education systems; - the world in general. Those who are involved with these in any way see such involvement as a means to an end.
(Mt 12:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters)
(1 Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.)

4. Abuse Of Time And Energy: The group controls and uses almost all the members time and energy in group activities. They are usually in a constant state of mental and physical exhaustion. Special days or times will be allocated for "group play"- where members simply gather and do church appointed activities.
(Ac 2:46 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts)

6. Abuse Of Free Will: They must unquestioning submit to the groups teachings and directions and their own free will is broken. Their will actually becomes the groups will without their realizing it.
( 1 Co 11:16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.)

Christ Ahnsahnghong, Mother Jerusalem, World Mission Society Church of God
Check your faith.....Would you really Believe?????????????

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Identifying the Church of God(Nazarene Sect) as a Cult

A group is called a cult because of their behaviour - not their doctrines. Most religious cults do teach what the Jewish temple would declare to be heresy but some do not. Some cults teach the basics of the Jewish faith but have behavioural patterns that are abusive, controlling and cultic.The key is that they will be using deception, coercive mind control or undue influence on their members, often by forcing their followers to reflect on non-essential doctrines (i.e not related to the law issues), acts of physical repetition or group conditioning.

These cult groups typically base their teachings around central doctrines of the Jewish faith and then add the extra authority of the leadership or someone's particular teachings. They revolve around the interpretations of the leadership, and submissive and unquestioning acceptance of these interpretations is essential to be a member of good standing.

Identification Marks(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. i.e THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT - everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD'S WILL - everyone else is in hipocrasy.(b) Concerned only with recruiting and growing, they will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse God-given personal rights, individual spiritual gifts, individual talents and individual freedoms. This abuse can be THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.How They Do This

1. Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or position of authority given by God.
(Mt 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.)

2. They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance regarding the Jewish temple while at the same time praising and exalting their own group, leader/s and work.
(Jn 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.)

3. They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of subtle threats of dire calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon/last days, being shunned by their family and friends etc.
(Lk 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish)

4. There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the group's activities.
(Ac 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts)

5. There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private lives of members. This control can be direct through communal living, or constant and repetitious teaching on how to be a true Israelite or being obedient to leadership. Members will look to their leaders for guidance in everything they do.
(Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus)

6. Law and Prophets cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity distinction and no paid ministry class - they they are all equal.
(Gl 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.)

7. Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged. Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. This is vigilantly maintained.
(2 Ti 4:10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.)

8. Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in some way. They may be required give up their lives by quitting school or work.
(Lk 18:28-30 Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!" ,"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.")

Christ Ahnsahnghong, Mother Jerusalem, World Mission Society Church of God.
Check your faith....Would you really believe????????????

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Cult Watch--The life of Jesus of Nazareth--Church of God..

Jesus was born to a devout Jewess named Mary and a carpenter named Joseph. It is claimed by his followers that Jesus was conceived by a miracle of the Holy Spirit before the couple had gotten married. His followers also claim that Jesus was born in Bethlehem because the Roman emperor had decreed that all families register for a census in their ancestral hometowns. Some followers do not discuss Jesus' birth; they begin their narratives with Jesus' adulthood. What are they hiding?
His followers are virtually silent when it comes to Jesus' early life, but some information can be inferred from references elsewhere. Jesus was from a small town called Nazareth, where he probably trained as a carpenter under his father. And they believe this carpenter to be God.
Jesus spoke Aramaic, a Semitic language related to Hebrew, though it seems he knew enough Greek to converse with Roman officials during his ministry. How can God not speak all the languages, why only Aramaic?
His followers offer only one account of this period, in which a 12-year old Jesus wanders off from his parents in Jerusalem to discuss religion in the temple. When his frantic parents finally track him down, Jesus asks, "Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house?"

Jesus reenters his follower’s narratives at about the age of 30 (circa 26 AD). All of his followers agree that Jesus' first act was to be baptized by John the Baptist, a charismatic and ascetic figure who called people to repentance and baptized those who responded. This event marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry. What is Baptism anyways, how does that symbolize that he is God?
After the baptism, several of John's followers left to follow Jesus. Jesus then selected several others until he had established a group of 12 disciples. All of them are unschooled, people of course they would follow that ringleader.

Jesus then spent from one to three years teaching and working miracles among his disciples and before large crowds. His acclaimed miracles included turning water to wine, walking on water, cursing a fig tree, healing the sick, multiplying a small meal to feed a crowd, casting out demons, and even raising a man from the dead. He wasn’t the only one performing miracles at that time.
The teachings of Jesus focused primarily on the "the kingdom of God" and were usually relayed through parables drawing on familiar images from agricultural life. He rebuked us, calling us hypocrites, the Jewish leaders yet he taught the importance of love and kindness, even to one's enemies.
While Jesus' teachings were fundamentally Jewish, they departed significantly from the Jewish law of his day. Perhaps most astonishing of all was that he taught on his own authority. Whereas Jewish prophets had always prefaced their messages with "thus saith the Lord," Jesus said things like, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'" How blasphemous.
Jesus' popularity grew quickly, but so did opposition from local leaders. Roman rulers were uncomfortable with the common perception that he was the Messiah who would liberate the Jews from Roman rule, while Jewish leaders were disquieted by Jesus' shocking interpretations of Jewish law, his power with the people, and the rumor that he had been alluding to his own divinity.

Jesus repeatedly suggests to his disciples his end is near, but they do not fully understand or accept the idea. The clearest expression of this is at the "Passover," which took place on the night before his death. All of his followers acclaim Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, asking them to "do this in remembrance of him”. He taught his followers to celebrate the Passover with bread and wine, instead of the traditional Passover lamb.
On this evening Jesus also predicts that one of them will betray him, which is met with astonishment and denial. But that very night, Jesus' fate was sealed when Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples and possibly the group's treasurer, led Roman soldiers to Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. As they arrested Jesus, the ever-colorful Peter defended his master with a sword, slicing off the ear of a centurion. But he was rebuked by Jesus, who admonished, "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Jesus was brought before the Jewish chief priests for trial. When questioned, he said very little but affirmed he was the Messiah. He was then judged worthy of death for blasphemy and handed over to the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, for punishment. Although reluctant to condemn Jesus for reasons not entirely clear, Pilate sentenced Jesus to death at the insistence of the mob that had gathered. According to some of his followers, when Judas learned of the sentence he threw his silver coins into the temple and hanged himself.

Jesus was brutally beaten, clothed in a mock-royal purple robe and crown of thorns, and then executed by crucifixion at Golgotha (The Place of the Skull). This method of execution, apparently a Roman invention, entailed nailing or tying the victim's hands and feet to a wooden cross. It produced a slow, painful death by asphyxiation.
The believers report that only Jesus' mother and a handful of female disciples were present at the execution. Jesus suffered on the cross for six hours before finally crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and breathing his last. The followers report extraordinary events upon Jesus' death - the entire land went dark, there was a great earthquake, and the temple curtain was torn in half. If he is God, why didn’t he come down of the Cross?

Jesus' body was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea, and placed in a tomb carved into rock. Again, Jesus' mother and one or two other women were the only ones present. These same devoted women came to his tomb the first day of the week early in the morning to anoint his body with spices. When they arrived, they were astonished to find the stone covering the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty.
All his followers vary somewhat in their reports as to what happened next, but all generally agree that the women told the other disciples but their story was not believed. But the risen Jesus later appeared to the disciples, where he passed through a locked door yet demonstrated he was not a ghost by eating and allowing himself to be touched. He made several other appearances among various groups before ascending into heaven.
The resurrection of Jesus is central to the early church. Historically, it may be impossible to determine what happened or what the disciples actually experienced, but one thing seems clear - they sincerely believed, from an early date that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Yet only his believers saw this, nobody else.

Christ Ahnsahnghong, Mother Jerusalem, World Mission Society Church of God


Check yourself would you really believe????????????????